Players:
Summary: Rashmi and Robyn meet up since Rashmi's return from Africa.
Date: February 13, 2011
Log Title: Missed Friend
Rating: PG
Xavier Mansion - Library
Like most Libraries, this one has that respected quite hush about it. A desk to check out books sits next to the door, next to the desk sits a statue of an Orangutan with a sign saying Return your books or else. Row upon row of books goes up and down the room. In the middle of all the shelves are two computers for looking up titles and a group of tables for students to sit and study. Along the back wall are windows with padded window seating for students to read in quiet.
Late Saturday evening, and Rashmi has visited the mansion early. Her time sweeping up the chapel already taken, for now, she's evidently decided to haunt the library. But unlike any other time, there is no book fort. Instead, she simply wanders slowly among the stacks, the tips of her fingers lingering on the spines of the books on the shelves. Now and again, as she takes another step, the light catches the lacquered black hoops dangling from her ears, very visible now that her hair has been cropped so short.
Robyn knows that Rashmi visits the school on Sunday's so he's been looking for her. Hearing that someone saw her wander into the library he has taken his search in there. Wandering around, Robyn almost gives up before he spots her and has to stop himself from rushing to give her a hug. "Rashmi!" He says a quietly as possible but it's hard since he's so anxious to see his friend.
Rashmi spins around as her name is spoken, eyes lighting up at the sight of Robyn at the other end of the aisle. Crossing the space between them in a few short steps, she wraps her arms around the boy, squeezing tightly. "*Hi,*" she whispers, cheek pressed to cheek. "I *missed* you, Robyn… How're you doing?"
Robyn returns the hug and squeezes her tightly back. "I missed you too and I've been so worried about you." He says to her before reluctantly breaking the hug. "I'm doing good lately though I feel bad about not being able to go to Africa to help out. How are you, are you doing okay?" He asks.
Rashmi shakes her head, looking over Robyn's face for a moment, before taking in a deep breath. "Don't take this the wrong way, Robyn… but… I'm glad you didn't go. I remember when you told me about that drug thing… This was all kinds of worse. I'm…. well. Not okay. Better. Little better every day, but… Probably not going to be really okay for awhile."
"Connor said the same thing about being glad I didn't go." Robyn says before reaching out and taking her hand. "I'm glad you're home, and if you need anything let me know. You're one of my best friends Rashmi, I'm glad you're getting better. Now I know what it's like for you to worry about things when stuff happens to us." He jokes lightly.
"I will," Rashmi murmurs, squeezing his hand. "I will. I promise. Just…. honestly, just being here helps, a lot. Being home, and cold, and around places I know… it helps. I mean… There's just nothing about New York that's anything like the rainforest, you know? And…. well, and having clothes. That helps too."
Robyn nods. "Yeah, I don't even thing New York has that many trees, except for Central Park. I just heard what Connor told me and….clothes?!" He says as he finally registers that part. "I don't want to ask to much cause I don't want you to talk about anything you don't want to but…I'm so sorry you had to go through that if it means anything. I really am."
Rashmi nods silently, embracing Robyn again for a moment, then releasing and stepping back half a pace. "Yeah… Took away the stuff I was using to protect myself… and, well… Barnes bodysuits don't exactly have a lot of room for much more than underwear, so…" She shrugs, ducking her head and running a knuckle over her brow… as though she was about to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, forgetting her lack of hair. "It means a lot, Robyn… It really does."
Robyn frowns at her words. "That's horrible. And the hair, it's different but it looks cute on you." He says figuring that happened while she was in Africa. "And I heard Lucas is back, I haven't run into him yet, but I heard he went to Africa to help with your rescue."
"Yeah, he is…" Rashmi sucks in a deep breath, and arranges her face to something a little more attentive and personable. "I guess he was… well… visiting family, sort of. It was *really* good to see him again, honestly… Although the thing about meeting the guy I'm sort of dating was awkward."
Robyn nods. "Yeah that sounds like it would be really awkward. Wait, guy you're sort of dating?" That's news to him. "Man, we have to hang out more. I know you were in Africa for a few weeks but..I really miss you. And with not knowing where we'll all be next year, well you'll probably still be at Barnes. How is Barnes going?"
"Barnes is good," Rashmi says, finding a nearby chair to sit in, smoothing down her skirts. "…I'm… taking a semester off of classes, actually. Maybe two. Iunno, we'll see."
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Robyn blinks. "Wait, taking time off of your classes, what will you be doing? So you won't be having any school classes for bit?" Wow, Africa must have really hit her hard, Robyn thinks to himself.
Rashmi nods. "Yeah…" She laughs, softly, shaking her head. "I almost volunteered for SHIELD agent training, actually… But… instead, Ms. Drew's going to be training me in advanced combat. You know… the stuff Logan teaches that we always avoided, right? Iunno… I guess I just… want to feel safe again. So I'm going to try to make it so I won't ever be that helpless, ever again."
"I know exactly what you mean. I felt the same way after the Selene incident and why I have Connor make sure I work out twice a week with him and have Addison doing more advanced mental training with me." Robyn admits. "That's great that you're getting the training you need Rashmi. Do what you have to, seriously. Do what makes you feel better. And I know this sounds weird but if you need to see someone like a psychologist, do it. It really does help. I had sessions with Dr. Parker Mayfair after the whole…Nathaniel thing and it can help you feel better."
"I probably will," Rashmi says quietly, nodding, "…But I kind of want to get my life straightened out first, you know? I know it's silly, but… I want the routine. I want the normal, even if 'normal' is learning how to kill people with their own pinky finger or whatever." The redhead lifts a shoulder, sitting back and sighing heavily. "It's probably silly, I know… But it would be really, really nice, y'know?"
Robyn shakes his head. "No, it doesn't sound silly. You do what you have to do, whatever works for you. I know I just gave you some advice but, don't let anyone tell you what you have to do to start feeling okay again. You know yourself best, but also if you need anything at all, just let me know. No matter how small or stupid. And really we talk about normal but what really is normal?
Rashmi chuckles. "Normal's the part of life where you don't even have to think if it's true or not. You can just wake up and go 'Yeah. I go to work in two hours.' and you go, and in two hours you've started your work. It's comforting, knowing there're things about the world that are just *true.* Which, y'know, probably why everyone gets so mad when it's not."
Robyn gives Rashmi another big hug. "I know what you mean, it's nice to have something solid to rely on. Though speaking of that I am gonna have to get going. I still have some homework that needs to get done. As much as I don't want to leave you cause I've missed you, I gotta do that homework thing. Just don't hesitate to call if you need anything and that includes an ear."
